Salary guide, May 2025
Food Process Operator pay in Illinois
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The median annual wage for Food Processing Workers, All Other in Illinois was $45,340 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $40,450 and $48,200.
The Illinois median is $5,660 above the national median of $39,680, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other
The Food Process Operator title maps to the published occupation. BLS does not separate this process, credential, shift or plant-specific title from other work in the occupation.
What should you know about illinois?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,710 | $40,450 | $45,340 | $48,200 | $50,440 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17.65 | $19.45 | $21.80 | $23.17 | $24.25 |
BLS estimated 2,760 workers employed in this occupation in Illinois. Location quotient: 1.08.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $32,210 | $36,410 | $39,680 | $44,130 | $47,950 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.49 | $17.51 | $19.08 | $21.22 | $23.05 |
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $35,090 | $40,310 | $43,940 |
| May 2025 | $40,450 | $45,340 | $48,200 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other, Illinois. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-3099 Food Processing Workers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $39,250 | $37,720 to $49,440 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $40,740 | $39,510 to $44,860 |
All roles in Illinois · National page · Food Process Operator ranked across metros